Choosing the right Resene colours to support your biophilic design concept

10 Nov 2023

In recent decades, there has been a strong trend towards boxy, minimalist and largely white interiors. While some may feel this look is ‘clean’, these spaces are far removed from our natural surroundings. Studies have shown that spending too much time without access to nature can have a significant impact on the mental and emotional wellbeing of the building’s users. As more and more designers have become aware of these effects, it's no coincidence that biophilic design – which increases occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct and indirect links to nature – has become one of biggest decorating and design trends.

Often, discussions around biophilic design focus on the types of materials being used, such as timber and stone, or the introduction of living plants to interior spaces while overlooking the topic of colour. However, Resene paint colours and timber stains that leverage biophilic design principles are among the easiest and most accessible ways to increase the connection to the natural world. Here, we look at some key ways Resene products can be used to support your project’s biophilic design goals and what colours to use to enhance the overall effect.

Use Resene wood stains and clear coats to enhance and protect your client’s timber.

Wood has long been celebrated for its natural beauty, warmth, timeless appeal and versatility, and it is also one of the most popular materials to use in biophilic design. It is widely believed that the use of timber within our built environments provides an indirect reminder of nature and the trees from which it has been derived.

As an organic material, timber is susceptible to the ‘patina of time’ as it ages and weathers. However, when we’re creating built structures that are meant to last and continue to look beautiful while doing so, we need to ensure the timber we use in our projects is adequately protected. Leaving timber surfaces bare makes them vulnerable to rapid deterioration from moisture, air and solar radiation. While some may find this ‘greyed’ look attractive, it is actually evidence that the material is breaking down – and allowing materials to decay in the pursuit of this look is counter-productive and in conflict with the philosophy of biophilia.

Protecting your project’s timber with Resene wood stains and clear coats, on the other hand, aligns perfectly with biophilic design principles as they allow designers to showcase, enhance and protect wood surfaces while preserving the natural grain and character. Plus, different colours can be used to change the timber’s look – and some selections can even impart a similarly ‘weathered’ effect. 

Whether you’re after a sleek and modern look or a rustic one, wood stains can suit a range of aesthetics while protecting your client’s investment. From light to dark to a spectrum of colours, Resene wood stains come in a wide range of colours, making them adaptable to various design styles. For the most ‘natural’ look, choose a Resene wood stain colour that is most similar to your timber’s inherent hue. To change the look of your timber, try a darker or coloured Resene wood stain. And to get a similar look to weathered timber, use Resene’s popular colourwash stain finishes like Resene Colorwood Light Greywash or Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash or the Resene We Speak Beach series of options. And don’t forget to seal your stained interior timber surfaces in an appropriate Resene clear coat, such as Resene Aquaclear for timber walls and ceilings or Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K on timber floors.

Timber background finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from left to right) Resene Warmed Brown, Resene Jetsam Brown, Resene Albescent White and Resene Sandspit Brown, vases in Resene Warmed Brown (bottom) and Resene Sandspit Brown (right), plates in Resene Albescent White (bottom) and Resene Sandspit Brown (top) and timber plank stained in Resene Colorwood Bark.

Choose more pigmented wood stains to unify recycled timber surfaces.

Not only can coloured and darker wood stains be used to change the look of your project’s timber, but they are a great solution for reducing reliance on ‘virgin timber’. Because these options have more pigment to them, reclaimed timber can simply be sanded down and then stained for a uniform look – even if the wood you are recycling comes from different sources. Black and off black wood stain colours like Resene Colorwood Charred Black and Resene Colorwood Shade are two popular options for getting a contemporary look as they still allow the timber grain to be seen while providing depth and neutrality.

Timber background finished in Resene Colorwood Shade with A4 drawdown swatches in (from left to right) Resene Marzipan, Resene Orchid White, Resene Element and Resene Apache, tray and ornament in Resene Hot Toddy and small vase Resene Marzipan.

Reduce sterility through cosy and inviting wood stain and paint colour choices.

An important component of biophilic design is that buildings should offer a comfortable and nurturing interior. However, relying on sterile-looking whites to paint the major surfaces within your project’s spaces does little to comfort occupants. Paint colours that echo earthy tones commonly found in nature such as subdued browns, stone greys, tussock golds, mossy greens and watery blues like Resene Sandspit Brown, Resene Cloud, Resene Tussock, Resene Bud and Resene Awash can be used on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, joinery and more to create a more calming and soothing atmosphere.

Resene wood stains have a multitude of interior applications that can elevate the perceived comfort within a space. On timber floors, lighter coloured stains like Resene Colorwood Whitewash can make a room feel spacious and airy while darker stains like Resene Colorwood Dark Oak create be used to create an inviting or cocooning atmosphere. Stained wooden cabinets and joinery in hues like Resene Colorwood Bark offer a rich, inviting appearance with timeless appeal. And wood-clad walls or ceilings stained in Resene Colorwood Natural or finished in Resene Colorwood wash hues are a trend-forward choice in contemporary design for increasing visual interest and texture within interior spaces, which reduces sterility.

Background stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt with A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from top of stack to bottom) Resene Aspiring, Resene Bud, Resene Flax, Resene Frontier, Resene Thistle, Resene Yuma, Resene Woodsman Uluru and Resene Coconut Cream, bowls in Resene Coconut Cream (left) and Resene Frontier (top right), plant pot with plant in Resene Thistle and tealight holder in Resene Yuma.

Emulate natural landscapes by layering different Resene paint and wood stain colours.

When you’re trying to bring elements of the outside in, it’s important to keep in mind that nature comes in many colours – so layering a range of different Resene colours, tones, tints and shades is a vital part of a successful biophilic design.

If you're going for a marine-inspired effect, for example, using several different blue paint colours such as Resene Destiny, Resene Loblolly and Resene Tiara can bring the colours of the coast indoors while beiges like Resene Blanc can emulate the warmth and hue of sandy beaches. In places where you want the natural grain of your project’s timber to show through, look to green, blue, beige and brown colourwash finishes like Resene Colorwood Shore Thing, Resene Colorwood Rising Tide, Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and Resene Colorwood Natural to colour and enhance these wood surfaces through similarly beachy tones.

If you want to bring the colours that are unique to your project’s surroundings into its indoor spaces, take a photo of the landscape outside and upload it to the Resene Colour Palette Generator. This handy online tool creates a Resene colour palette based on the most common colours that occur in the image and tell you what proportion of the palette they are to help give you an idea of the colour balance. Once done, you can click on the colours for more information, download swatches and save or share your palette.

Timber background finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, Resene Colorwood Rising Tide and Resene Colorwood Shore Thing from the Resene We Speak Beach collection, Resene Colorwood Natural and Resene Colorwood Whitewash, A4 drawdown paint swatches in Resene Destiny, Resene Loblolly, Resene Blanc, Resene Tiara, book in Resene Destiny and tealight holder in Resene Loblolly.

Use Resene paint or wallpaper to introduce a nature-inspired mural.

Incorporating images of nature within built environments has been proven to be emotionally and intellectually satisfying to building occupants, both through murals and artwork. By hiring an artistic painter, Resene paint colours can be used to create custom artwork on mural designs for your project. Or, look to the mural designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection for a range of quick and easy-to-install options. You can find a selection of recent releases online or visit your local Resene ColorShop to see the full collection.

Resene Wallpaper Collection PSH098-VD5

Outside too.

Remember, wood stain finishes are not just for your interior.  Exterior timber needs protection from everything nature has to throw at it and many of these interior tips can be equally applied to your exterior timber.  Always avoid clear finishes on timber outside as they won’t provide the protection needed.

For more ideas to enhance the natural appeal of your project, check out the latest issue of BlackWhite magazine – which is arriving in letterboxes this month. If you do not currently receive the magazine, you can pick up a copy at your local Resene ColorShop, peruse the online version or sign-up to receive future issues.

projects Vanessa Nouwens, Melle van Sambeek

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 10 Nov 2023